Most memorable companies no longer with us - Business - US business | NBC News Remember E.F. Hutton? General Foods? TWA? They were once household names, but not anymore. Take a walk down memory lane as we reminisce about some companies that made a big name for themselves, but didn't stand the test of time. Here are our picks for the 15 most memorable companies that no longer exist. Compaq Courtesy PC World Compaq computer Once upon a time, there was a computer brand called Compaq. It was one of the largest sellers of PCs in the entire world in the 1980s and 1990s. Then 2002 comes and Hewlett-Packard Corp. merges with the company. The end. Well, sounds like a short-lived story, and in actuality, it was. Compaq existed for only 20 years (1982-2002) before being gobbled up by then-CEO Carly Fiorina of HP to make HP's market share as large as possible. Advertise E.F. Hutton "When E.F.

Hutton talks, people listen," claimed the well-known slogan from the respected broker's ubiquitous ads in the 1970s and 1980s. Well, it seems the stock market crash of 1987, bad press from money laundering and fraud scandals along with the firm's deep debt had people stopped listening. In 1987, Hutton agreed to be acquired by Shearson Lehman Brothers. Several mergers later what remains of the once proud firm is now part of Citigroup Inc. PaineWebber Doug Kanter / AFP/Getty Images PaineWebber was never the biggest brokerage on Wall Street, but it was part of the solid middle. It was founded in 1880 by William Alfred Paine and Wallace G. Webber. It survived a securities fraud scandal in the late 1930s, and by 1980 it had 161 branch offices in 42 states and six offices in Asia and Europe. In 2000, it merged with UBS AG, to become UBS PaineWebber, but in 2003, "PaineWebber" was dropped and replaced with UBS Wealth Management USA.

Merry-Go-Round Merry-Go-Round Ent. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Merry-Go-Round was the darling of Wall Street and the suburbs where teens sold $70 rayon shirts for minimum wage plus commission. Its 536 stores comprised Merry-Go-Round, Dejaiz, Cignal and Chess King. Sadly, the mid-'90s teen did not want to wear v-neck sweater vests, mesh, or paisley rayon blouses. The business was so overtly trendy it tipped over the edge. Merry-Go-Round filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1994, but couldn't stay afloat and liquidated all its assets in 1996. MCI WorldCom ROGELIO SOLIS / AP Starting as Long Distance Discount Services in 1983, it changed its name to WorldCom in 1995. A series of mega-mergers transformed the company. It was rechristened MCI WorldCom in 1998. Then the telecom industry started a prolonged downturn. Management resorted to accounting tricks to try to keep the stock afloat.

By 2002, an elaborate accounting fraud was revealed. In bankruptcy, it changed its name back to MCI. In 2006 Verizon purchased MCI, and most of its operations became what is now called Verizon Business. Eastern Airlines Eastern began as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in the mid-1920s, but through acquisition and expansion came to dominate much of the domestic travel industry along the profitable East Coast corridor by the 1950s. The airline thrived into the 1970s, when it was one of the "big four" major U.S. airlines. However, the carrier struggled after the Air Transportation Deregulation Act of 1978. Deteriorating labor relations forced it into bankruptcy in 1989, at the time the largest airline bankruptcy in U.S. history. It ceased operations in 1991. Enron James Nielsen / Getty Images Has there ever been a company that had such a spectacular rise and fall as this Houston-based energy company?

Enron had 22,000 employees and claimed revenues of $111 billion in 2000 before its massive accounting fraud came to light. It is now the symbol of corporate fraud and corruption and its 2001 bankruptcy is the largest in U.S. history. Woolworth's Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images Founded in 1879, Woolworth's became the model for five-and-dimes throughout the U.S. As the era of the enclosed shopping mall arose, Woolworth's responded by acquisition and expansion, buying such specialty shops as Kinney Shoes, Champs Sports and Foot Locker. But rapid expansion proved to be the company's undoing. By 1997 all Woolworth's shops had closed. In 2001, the company changed its name to Foot Locker. Pan Am Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images Pan Am was among the worldwide leaders in passenger travel in the 1960s and '70s. In this photo from August 1958, a Boeing 707 receives the final touches at the aircraft maker's plant in Renton, Wash.

This plane made history when Pan Am inaugurated the first trans-Atlantic jet service between New York and Paris in October 1958. Pan American World Airways, or Pan Am, was an international airline that was in business from 1927 through 1991, when it ceased its operations after over a decade of mounting financial losses and declared bankruptcy. The company, despite being defunct for 17 years, is still well remembered in pop culture. The blue circular logo has made such an impression that it is put on designer travel bags to signify traveling in luxury today. Standard Oil Carl Mydans / Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image Standard Oil (1870-1911) was the dominant oil company in the world until it was felled by the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890. In 1911, the Supreme Court ruled that Standard Oil had violated the Act through its tactics of using low prices to wipe out competitors. The result was a breakup of the company into what is now Chevron, Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips. The Pullman Co. Getty images George Pullman founded the Pullman Palace Car Co. in Illinois in 1867.

The company had a long and illustrious business cycle that spanned more than a century. Just when things were in high gear, the government intervened. In the interest of antitrust laws, Pullman Inc. was ordered to divest itself of either the Pullman Company (operating) or the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Co. (manufacturing). After three years of negotiation, the Pullman Co. was sold to a railroad consortium for approximately $40 million. Arthur Andersen STEPHEN J. CARRERA / AP Former offices of the Arthur Andersen accounting firm in Chicago. Arthur Andersen (1913-2002) spent decades as a leading accounting and consulting firm. Founded in 1913, it was once a member of the "Big 8" accounting firms, which later became the "Big 5." Andersen's downfall was its role as Enron's auditor. It used its credibility to bless Enron's special purpose entities and a whole host of illegal accounting. In 2002, the firm voluntarily surrendered its licenses to practice as CPAs after being found guilty of criminal charges, resulting in the loss of 85,000 jobs. General Foods Corp.

General Foods Among General Foods' many product offerings were Sanka decaffeinated coffee and Tang. General Foods also continued to make acquisitions, including the makers of Kool-Aid, the Burger Chef restaurant chain and Oscar Mayer. But late in 1985, General Foods was itself acquired by Philip Morris (which later became Altria Group). When Philip Morris acquired Kraft in 1988, the two food companies were merged. In 2007, Altria spun off Kraft Foods. Fleet - TWA Virtual Airlines Fleet Hubs Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It seats 210 to 290 passengers, depending on the variant. Boeing states that it is the company's most fuel-efficient airliner and the world's first major airliner to use composite materials for most of its construction. According to Boeing, the 787 consumes 20% less fuel than the similarly-sized 767.

Its distinguishing features include a four-panel windshield, noise-reducing chevrons on its engine nacelles, and a smoother nose contour. The 787 shares a common type rating with the larger 777 twinjet, allowing qualified pilots to operate both models, due to related design features. The 787 operates special routes, mid-to-long distance. Boeing 777-300 The Boeing 777 is a long-range wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and has a capacity of over 300 passengers, with a range of 5,235 to 9,380 nautical miles (9,695 to 17,370 km), depending on model. Commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven", its distinguishing features include the largest-diameter turbofan engines of any aircraft, six wheels on each main landing gear, a circular fuselage cross-section and a blade-shaped tail cone.

Developed in consultation with eight major airlines, the 777 was designed to replace older wide-body airliners and bridge the capacity difference between the 767 and 747. As Boeing's first fly-by-wire airliner, it has computer-mediated controls; it is also the first entirely computer-designed commercial aircraft. This is TWA's newest addition to the fleet, and is used for long distance routes. [Picture not available at this time] Boeing 747-100 and 747-400 The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport aircraft, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced. Manufactured by Boeing's Commercial Airplane unit in the United States, the original version of the 747 was two and a half times the size of the Boeing 707, one of the common large commercial aircraft of the 1960s. First flown commercially in 1970, the 747 held the passenger capacity record for 37 years.

Our 747s operate long distance routes. Lockheed L-1011 TriStar The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, commonly referred to as the L-1011 (pronounced "L-ten-eleven") or TriStar, is a medium-to-long range, widebody trijet airliner. It was the third widebody airliner to enter commercial operations, after the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. The aircraft has a seating capacity of up to 400 persons and a range of over 4,000 nautical miles (7,410 km). Its trijet configuration places one Rolls-Royce RB211 engine under each wing, with a third, center-mounted RB211 engine connected by S-duct to an air inlet mounted at the junction of the tail and the upper fuselage. The aircraft further features autoland capability, an automated descent control system, and available lower deck galley and lounge facilities. L1011s with TWA operate all range routes.

Boeing 767-300 The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a conventional tail, and for reduced aerodynamic drag, a supercritical wing design. Designed as a smaller wide-body airliner than preceding aircraft such as the 747, the 767 has a capacity of 181 to 375 persons and a range of 3,850 to 6,385 nautical miles (7,130 to 11,825 km), depending on variant. Development of the 767 occurred in tandem with a narrow-body twinjet, the 757, resulting in shared design features which allow pilots to obtain a common type rating to operate both aircraft. Our 767s operate mid to long range routes. Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner.

Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers. The 737 is Boeing's only narrow-body airliner in production, with the −600, −700, −800, and −900ER variants currently being built. Our 737s have limited service, but do short to mid-range routes Boeing 757-200 The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner that was built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes from 1981 to 2004. It is the manufacturer's largest single-aisle passenger aircraft. The twinjet has a two-crewmember glass cockpit, turbofan engines, a conventional tail, and for reduced aerodynamic drag, a supercritical wing design.

Intended to replace the smaller three-engine 727 on short and medium routes, the 757 can carry 200 to 289 passengers for a maximum of 3,150 to 4,100 nautical miles (5,830 to 7,600 km), depending on variant. The 757 was designed concurrently with a wide-body twinjet, the 767, and owing to shared features pilots can obtain a common type rating that allows them to operate both aircraft. The 757 is operated for short to long distance flights, and is a major part of our fleet. Boeing 727-200 The Boeing 727 is a mid-size narrow-body three-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It can carry 149 to 189 passengers and later models can fly up to 2,400 to 2,700 nautical miles (4,400 to 5,000 km) nonstop. Intended for short and medium-length flights, the 727 can use fairly short runways at smaller airports.

It has three Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines below the T-tail, one on each side of the fuselage with a center engine that connects through an S-duct to an inlet at the base of the fin. TWA uses this aircraft in Europe for mid-range flights. McDonnell Douglas MD-83 The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a family of twin-engine, short- to medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet airliners. The MD-80 series were lengthened and updated from the DC-9. The airliner family can seat from 130 up to 172 passengers depending on variant and seating configuration. The MD-80 series was introduced into commercial service on October 10, 1980 by Swissair. The series includes the MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, MD-87, and MD-88. These all have the same fuselage length except the shortened MD-87. The MD-80 series was followed into service in modified form by the MD-90 in 1995 and the MD-95/Boeing 717 in 1999.

The MD-83 is used for short to mid-range routes. Boeing 717-200 The Boeing 717 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner, developed for the 100-seat market. The airliner was designed and marketed by McDonnell Douglas as the MD-95, a third-generation derivative of the DC-9. Capable of seating of up to 117 passengers, the 717 has maximum range of 2,060 nautical miles (3,820 km). The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR715 turbofan engines. The first order was placed in October 1995; McDonnell Douglas and Boeing merged in 1997 prior to production, and the first planes entered service in 1999 as the Boeing 717. Production ceased in May 2006 after 156 were produced. TWA, like the DC-9, uses the Boeing 717 for short routes.

McDonnell Douglas DC-9 [from Wikipedia] The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 (initially known as the Douglas DC-9) is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner. It was first manufactured in 1965 with its maiden flight later that year. The DC-9 was designed for frequent, short flights. The final DC-9 was delivered in October 1982. The DC-9 was followed in subsequent modified forms by the MD-80, MD-90 and Boeing 717. With the final two deliveries of the 717 in 2006, production of the DC-9/MD-80/90/717 aircraft family ceased after 41 years and nearly 2,500 units built. TWA utilizes the DC-9 for short routes. Create a free website Boeing 707 | Aircraft Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit The 707 was based on an aircraft known as the 367-80 . The "Dash 80" took less than two years from project launch in 1952 to rollout on 14 May 1954 .

This was powered by the Pratt & Whitney JT3C engine, which was the civilian version of the J57 used on many military aircraft of the day, including the F-100 fighter and the B-52 bomber. The prototype was conceived for both military and civilian use: the United States Air Force was the first customer for the design, using in the KC-135 Stratotanker midair refueling platform. It was far from certain that the passenger 707 would be profitable. At the time, Boeing was making nearly all of its money from military contracts: its last passenger transport, the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser , had netted the company a $15 million loss before it was purchased by the Air Force as the KC-97 Stratotanker . [1] The Template:Convert fuselage of the Dash 80 was only wide enough to fit two-plus-two seating (in the manner of the Stratocruiser ).

Boeing soon realized that this would not provide a viable payload, so decided to widen the fuselage to Template:Convert , the same as the KC-135 Stratotanker , which would allow six-abreast seating - and the shared use of the KC-135's tooling. [2] However, Douglas had launched its DC-8 with a fuselage width of Template:Convert . The airlines liked the extra space, and so Boeing was obliged to increase the 707's cabin width again, this time to Template:Convert . [3] This meant that little of the tooling that was made for the Dash 80 was usable for the 707. The extra cost meant the 707 did not become profitable until some years after it would have if these modifications had not been necessary. The first flight of the first production 707-120 took place on 20 December 1957 , and FAA certification followed on 18 September 1958 . A number of changes were incorporated into the production models from the prototype. A Krueger flap was installed along the leading edge.

The height of the vertical fin was increased, and a small fin was added to the underside of the fuselage, and acted as a bumper during excessively nose high takeoffs. [4] While the initial standard model was the 707-120 with JT3C engines, Qantas ordered a shorter body version called the 707-138 and Braniff ordered the higher-thrust version with Pratt & Whitney JT4 A engines, the 707-220. The final major derivative was the 707-320 which featured an extended-span wing and JT4A engines, while the 707-420 was the same as the -320 but with Rolls-Royce Conway turbofan engines, in response to a request from Air Canada . Template:Fact British certification requirements relating to engine-out go-arounds also forced Boeing to increase the height of the tail fin on all 707 variants, as well as add a ventral fin. Eventually, the dominant engine for the Boeing 707 family was the Pratt & Whitney JT3D , a turbofan variant of the JT3C with lower fuel consumption as well as higher thrust.

JT3D-engined 707s and 720s were denoted with a "B" suffix. While many 707-120Bs and 720Bs were conversions of existing JT3C-powered machines, 707-320Bs were only available as new-built aircraft as they had a stronger structure to support a maximum take-off weight increased by Template:Convert , along with minor modifications to the wing. The ultimate 707 variant was the 707-320C, (C for "Convertible") which was fitted with a large fuselage door for cargo applications. This aircraft also had a significantly revised wing featuring three-section leading-edge flaps. This provided an additional improvement to takeoff and landing performance, as well as allowed the ventral fin to be removed (although the taller fin was retained). 707-320Bs built after 1963 used the same wing as the -320C and were known as 707-320B Advanced aircraft. Production of the passenger 707 ended in 1978.

In total, 1,010 707s were built for civil use, though many of these found their way to military service. The purpose-built military variants remained in production until 1991. Traces of the 707 are still found in the 737 , which uses a modified version of the 707's fuselage, as well as essentially the same external nose and cockpit configuration as the 707. These were also used on the previous Boeing 727 , while the Boeing 757 also used the 707 fuselage cross-section. The Chinese government sponsored development of the Shanghai Y-10 during the 1970s, which was a near carbon-copy of the 707; however, this did not enter production. Operational history Edit The first commercial orders for the 707 came on 13 October 1955 , [2] when Pan Am committed to 20 707s and 25 Douglas DC-8s , a dramatic increase in passenger capacity over its existing fleet of propeller aircraft. The competition between the 707 and DC-8 was fierce.

Several major airlines committed only to the DC-8, as Douglas Aircraft was a more established maker of passenger aircraft at the time. To stay competitive, Boeing made a late and costly decision to redesign and enlarge the 707's wing to help increase range and payload. The new version was numbered 707-320. Pan Am was the first airline to operate the 707; the aircraft's first commercial flight was from New York to Paris on 26 October 1958 with a fuel stop in Gander, Newfoundland. American Airlines operated the first domestic 707 flight on 25 January 1959 . Airlines which had only ordered the DC-8, such as United , Delta and Eastern , were left jetless for months until September and lost market share on transcontinental flights. The 707 quickly became the most popular jetliner of its time. Its popularity led to rapid developments in airport terminals, runways, airline catering, baggage handling, reservations systems and other air transport infrastructure. The advent of the 707 also led to the upgrading of air traffic control systems to prevent interference with military jet operations.

[5] As the 1960s drew to a close, the exponential growth in air travel led to the 707 being a victim of its own success. The 707 was now too small to handle the increased passenger densities on the routes for which it was designed. Stretching the fuselage was not a viable option because the installation of larger, more powerful engines would in turn need a larger undercarriage, which was not feasible given the design's limited ground clearance. Boeing's answer to the problem was the first twin aisle airliner - the Boeing 747 . The 707's first-generation engine technology was also rapidly becoming obsolete in the areas of noise and fuel economy. Trans World Airlines flew the last scheduled 707 flight for passengers by a US carrier on 30 October 1983 , [6] although 707s remained in scheduled service by airlines from other nations for much longer. For example Middle East Airlines (MEA) of Lebanon flew 707s and 720s in front-line passenger service until the end of the 1990s.

Since LADE of Argentina took its 707-320B from regular service in 2007, Saha Airlines of Iran is the last airline to keep 707s in scheduled passenger service. Saha's 707-320C is listed for the nightly domestic flight between Tehran and Kish Island as well as a weekly flight between Tehran and Mashhad on Friday morning as of February 2008. In 1984, a Boeing 720 that was flown by remote control was intentionally crashed at Edwards AFB as a part of the FAA and NASA Controlled Impact Demonstration program. The test provided peak accelerations during a crash. [7] Honeywell operated the last Boeing 720 in operation in the United States, flying out of Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix . The aircraft had been modified with an extra engine nacelle to allow testing of a turbine engine at altitude, operating on special certification allowing it to be used for experimental use. The aircraft's experimental flight certification was set to expire in 2008, and the 720 is being replaced by a Boeing 757 .

[8] This 720B was scrapped on June 21 and 22, 2008. [9] Design Edit The 707's engines could not supply sufficient bleed air for pressurization without a serious loss of thrust, so the aircraft instead used engine-driven turbocompressors to supply high-pressure air for this purpose. On many commercial 707s the outer port (#1) engine mount is distinctly different from the other three, as this is the only engine not fitted with a turbocompressor. The Boeing 707 was the first commercially successful airliner to use podded engines . Wings Edit The 707 wings are swept back at 35 degrees and, like all swept-wing aircraft, displayed an undesirable " Dutch roll " flying characteristic which manifested itself as an alternating yawing and rolling motion. Boeing already had considerable experience with this on the B-47 and B-52 , and had developed the yaw damper system on the B-47 that would be applied to later swept wing configurations like the 707.

However, many new 707 pilots had no experience with this phenomenon as they were transitioning from straight-wing propeller driven aircraft such as the Douglas DC-7 and Lockheed Constellation . On one customer acceptance flight, where the yaw damper was turned off to familiarize the new pilots with flying techniques, a trainee pilot exacerbated the Dutch Roll motion causing a violent roll motion which tore two of the four engines off the wing. The plane, a brand new 707-227 N7071 destined for Braniff, crash landed on a river bed north of Seattle at Arlington, Washington , killing four of the eight occupants. [10] In his autobiography, test pilot Tex Johnston described a Dutch Roll incident he experienced as a passenger on an early commercial 707 flight. As the aircraft's movements gradually became more severe, he went to the cockpit and found the crew frantically attempting to resolve the situation. He introduced himself and relieved the ashen-faced captain who immediately left the cockpit feeling ill. Johnston quickly stabilized the plane and later, even landed it for the crew.

Upgrades and modifications Edit Pratt & Whitney, in a joint venture with Seven Q Seven (SQS) and Omega Air, has developed the JT8D-219 as a re-engine powerplant for Boeing 707-based aircraft, calling their modified configuration a 707RE. [11] Northrop Grumman has selected the -219 to re-engine the United States Air Force’s fleet of 19 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System ( E-8 Joint STARS ) aircraft, which will allow the JSTARS more time on station due to the engine's greater fuel efficiency. NATO also plans to re-engine their fleet of E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. The -219 is publicized as being half the cost of the competing 707 re-engine powerplant, the CFM-56 , and is 40dB quieter than than JT3D engines that are being replaced. [11] Variants Edit 367-80 (Dash-80): The original prototype jet transport layout. Used to develop the 707, it was fitted with four Pratt & Whitney JT3C engines producing Template:Convert .

First flight was 15 July 1954 . 707-120: 69 of the first production 707s were built, with a longer fuselage and greater wingspan than the original Dash-80. A full set of rectangular cabin windows was included for the interior, which was capable of a seating 179 passengers. The version was designed for transcontinental routes and often required a refuelling stop when used on the North Atlantic route. It was fitted with four Pratt and Whitney JT3C-6 turbojets , civilian versions of ofte military J57 model, which produced Template:Convert each, allowing a Template:Convert takeoff gross weight. First flight was on 20 December 1954 . Other major orders were the launch order for 20 707-121 aircraft by Pan American and an American Airlines order for 30 707-123 aircraft. Pan Am service began the 707 career on 26 October 1958 . 707-138: Qantas has been assigned the Boeing customer number of 38.

The 13 -138 were based on the -120 but had a Template:Convert reduction to the rear fuselage and were capable of increased range. 707-220: Designed for hot and high operations with powerful Pratt & Whitney JT4 A-3 turbojets, only five of these were ultimately produced. All were for Braniff International Airways and carried the model number 707-227. This version was made obsolete by the arrival of the turbofan-powered 707-120B. 707-320 Intercontinental: A stretched version of the turbojet-powered original model, powered by JT4A-3 turbojets producing 15,800 lbst each. The interior allowed for up to 189 passengers due to a Template:Convert stretch, while a longer wing carried more fuel, increasing range by Template:Convert and allowing the aircraft to operate as true transoceanic aircraft. Takeoff weight was increased to Template:Convert . First flight was on 11 January 1958 , and 69 turbojet -320s were produced.

707-120B: The first major upgrade to the design was a re-engining with JT3D-3 turbofans, which were quieter, more powerful, and more fuel-efficient, producing Template:Convert each. The aircraft also received extra leading-edge slats, and the tailplane was enlarged. A total of 72 of these were built, and many more were converted from 707-120 aircraft, including Qantas' aircraft, which became 707-138B aircraft upon conversion. The first flight of the -120B was on 22 June 1960 . 707-320B: A re-engining of the stretched version was undertaken in parallel with the -120B, using the same JT3D-3 turbofans and incorporating many of the same airframe upgrades as well. Takeoff gross weight was increased to Template:Convert . 175 of the 707-300B aircraft were produced, as well as upgrades from original -320 models.

One of the final orders was by the Iranian Government for 14 707-3J9C aircraft capable of VIP transportation, communication, and inflight refuelling tasks. 707-320B Advanced: A minor improvement made available to -320B aircraft, adding three-section leading-edge flaps. These reduced takeoff and landing speeds, and also altered the lift distribution of the wing, allowing the ventral fin found on earlier 707s to be removed. The same wing was also used on the -320C. 707-320C: A convertible passenger/freight configuration which ultimately became the most widely produced variant of the 707, the -320C added a strengthened floor and a new cargo door to the -320B model. 335 of these variants were built, including a small number with uprated JT3D-7 engines and a takeoff gross weight of Template:Convert . Despite the convertible option, a number of these were delivered as pure freighters.

707-420: A version of the 707-320 originally produced at specific request for BOAC and powered by Rolls-Royce Conway 508 turbofans, producing Template:Convert each. Although BOAC initiated the programme, Lufthansa was the launch customer and Air India was the first to receive a 707-420 on February 18 1960. A total of 37 were built to this configuration. 707-700: A test aircraft used to study the feasibility of using CFM International 's CFM56 powerplants on a 707 airframe and possibly retrofitting them to existing aircraft. After a testing in 1979, N707QT, the last commercial 707 airframe, was refitted to 707-320C configuration and delivered to the Moroccan Air Force as a tanker aircraft. (This purchase was considered a "civilian" order and not a military one.) Boeing abandoned the program, since they felt it would be a threat to the Boeing 757 program.

The information gathered in the test led to the eventual retrofitting program of CFM56 engines to the USAF C-135/KC-135R models, and some military versions of the 707 also used the CFM56. Ironically the Douglas DC-8 "Super 70" series by Cammacorp did develop commercially, extending the life of DC-8 airframes in a stricter noise regulatory environment, so there are today more DC-8s in commercial service than there are 707s. 720: Originally designated 707-020 but later changed for marketing reasons, was a modification of the 707-120 designed for medium-range operation from shorter runways. It was lighter and faster than the Boeing 707 and had a simplified wing design. This model had few sales but was still profitable due to the minimal R&D costs associated with modifying an existing type.

At one point in the promotion stage to airlines it was known as the 717, although this was the Boeing model designation of the KC-135 and remained unused for a commercial airliner until it was applied to the MD-95 following Boeing 's merger with McDonnell Douglas . [12] The 720 was used before the Boeing 727 replaced it in the market. First flight was on 23 November 1959 , and 64 of the original version were built. 720B: The turbofan-powered version of the 720, with JT3D-1-MC6 turbofans producing Template:Convert each. Takeoff gross weight was increased to Template:Convert . 88 of these were built in addition to conversions of existing 720 models. [13] Military Template:Main The VC-137C variant of the Stratoliner was a special-purpose design meant to serve as Air Force One , the secure transport for the President of The United States of America . These models were in operational use from 1972 to 1990.

The two aircraft remain on display: SAM 26000 is at the National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton, Ohio and SAM 27000 is at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California . Operators Edit Template:Seealso Although 707s are no longer employed by major airlines 63 aircraft remain in commercial use, mainly with air cargo operators. In the 1980s, the USAF acquired around 250 used 707s to provide parts for the KC-135E Stratotanker program. [14] After Saha Airlines, the last commercial passenger operator, ceased operations in 2013, no 707s remains in commercial passenger service, though some are operated as cargo aircraft and private jets. [15] American actor John Travolta owns, and is qualified to fly as second in command, an ex- Qantas 707-138B, registration N707JT. [16] The list of customer codes used by Boeing to identify specific options and trim specified by customers was started with the 707, and has been maintained through all Boeing's models.

Essentially the same system as used on the earlier Boeing 377 , the code consisted of two digits affixed to the model number to identify the specific aircraft version. For example, Pan American Airlines was assigned code "21." Thus a 707-300B sold to Pan Am had the model number 707-321B. The number remained constant as further aircraft were purchased, thus when Pan American purchased the 747-100 it had the model number 747-121. Accidents and incidents As of May 2007, the 707 has been in a total of 166 hull-loss occurrences [17] with 2,733 fatalities. [18] Notable accidents

Question: The production of which iconic passenger aircraft ceased in 1991, after being in production for 37 years?
Answer: BOEING 707